Antagonists of TWEAK and of TWEAK receptor and their use to treat immunological disorders

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to reagents which modify the activity of TWEAK and their use as therapeutic agents for the treatment of immunological disorders.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 USC §120) of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/916,141, filed onAug. 11, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.09/905,810, filed on Jul. 13, 2001, now abandoned, which is thecontinuation of International Application no. PCT/US00/01044, filed onJan. 14, 2000 (published as WO 00/42073 on Jul. 20, 2000), which claimsbenefit of provisional application No. 60/116,168, filed on Jan. 15,1999. The disclosures of the prior applications are considered part of(and are incorporated by reference in their entireties in) thedisclosure of this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to compositions and methods comprisingreagents which bind to the novel protein TWEAK, and the use of TWEAKbinding reagents to block the development of immunologic disorders.TWEAK binding reagents include monoclonal antibodies, as used herein toblock the development of chronic Graft-Versus-Host Disease, solubleTWEAK-receptor-Ig fusion proteins, or other molecules which modify thebinding of TWEAK to its' receptor(s). Other embodiments of the inventioninclude reagents which bind to TWEAK receptor(s) to modify theiractivity, or modify the intracellular signaling of TWEAK receptor(s).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Immunological disorders are manifested as a wide variety of diseases andpathologies, including autoimmune diseases, acute and chronicinflammatory disorders, organ transplant rejection, Graft-Versus-HostDisease (GVHD), lymphoid cell malignancies, septic and other forms ofshock, loss of immune responsiveness as seen in HIV and SCIDS, andfailure of the immune response to tumor growth.

Many immunological disorders are triggered by aberrant or uncontrolledresponses to antigen. Autoimmune diseases are the result of theinappropriate response of the immune system to self-antigens, resultingin damage to cells and tissues. GVHD develops when donor cells from abone marrow transplant (BMT) respond to host (ie. patient) antigens.Organ transplant rejection results when the patient's immune systemresponds to antigens derived from the transplanted organ. Acuteinflammatory disorders such as hyper-allergic conditions and shock arethe result of uncontrolled immune response to the triggering antigens.

T cell dependent immune responses require T cell recognition of antigen.For example, GVHD results from a complex interplay between donor T cellsand host immune system cells. The initiating event is the recognition bydonor T cells of non-self, ie. host, antigens. These are referred to asalloantigens. Alloantigen recognition by these donor cells results inthe production of immunoregulatory and inflammatory cytokines andchemokines, which advance and exacerbate the donor anti-host immuneresponse. This disease can develop in either an acute or chronic form,depending on the regulation of complex cytokine networks which controlthe type of immune response which develops. Immune responses can becharacterized as Th0, Th1, or Th2 depending on 1) the nature of thecytokines and chemokines produced by activated T cells during theresponse, and 2) the nature of the cytokines and chemokines produced byaccessory and other cells during the response. Examples of non-T cellsimportant during immune responses are B cells, dendritic cells,monocytes and macrophages, follicular dendritic cells, and endothelialcells. Together the cytokines produced influence a variety of cell typesto differentiate, and the chemokines produced influence cell traffickingand localization. Th0 responses are characteristic of the short termstimulation of previously unstimulated (naive) T cells. Th0 T cellsproduce moderate amounts of a number of cytokines, notably Il-2 and TNF.Repetitively or chronically stimulated Th0 cells can differentiate intoeither Th1 or Th2 T cells, depending on a number of factors. Suchfactors include, but are not limited to, accessory cell cytokineproduction, the strength of T cell receptor engagement, and the natureof secondary signals received, eg. via the CD28 costimulatory receptor.In particular exposure of activated T cells to the cytokine Il-12,produced primarily by activated macrophages, supports differentiation toTh1 T cells, while exposure to Il-4 and Il-10 supports differentiationto Th2 T cells.

Th1 T cells produce cytokines such as Il-2 and IFN-γ which areassociated with inflammatory responses, T cell cytotoxicity, andmacrophage activation. Th1 T cells respond to chemokines which attractcells into sites of tissue inflammation, such as Mip-1 alpha, MIP-1beta,RANTES, IP-10, and MIG. Since cytotoxic T cells and activatedmacrophages act to eliminate damaged or infected cells, the Th1 responseis responsible for controlling the immune response to intracellularpathogens. Importantly, production of Th1 chemoattractant chemokinessuch as IP-10 and MIG by macrophages and endothelial cells is closelyregulated by IFN-y, which is the prototypic chemokine produced by Th1 Tcells. Thus feedback loops may develop between activated T cells andtheir environment, which augment the development of a particular type ofresponse at a particular time and location

Th2 T cells produce cytokines such as Il-4, Il-5, Il-6, and Il-10 whichsupport the development of humoral immune responses, including thosewhich require the production of IgE, IgA, and IgG. These Ig responsesare driven by the T cell mediated activation of B cells which “switch”their Ig phenotype from surface bound IgM and IgD to secreted Ig.Secreted Igs normally function to control infection from pathogens incirculation (IgG), at mucosal surfaces, such as the gut and oral cavity(IgA) and in the respiratory tract (IgE). Overproduction of Ig can causedisease, for example in SLE (IgG and IgA), allergic (Type I)hypersensitivity (IgE), and GVHD (IgG, IgA, and IgE). Th2 T cells alsosupport the activation of eosinophils and Mast cells which can mediateacute responses to pathogens, for example in the respiratory tract. Th2T cells respond to chemokines such as eotaxin and MDC, whose productionis closely regulated by Il-4, the prototypic cytokine produced by NK1.1and activated T cells.

The interaction of T cells with B cells is a complex and closelyregulated process. To begin the activation process, B cells must receivean antigen signal through the B cell antigen receptor (membrane Ig).Secondly, B cells must receive specific contact dependent and contactindependent signals from activated T cells. One required contactdependent signal is delivered via the binding of CD40L on T cells toCD40 on B cells. One required contact-independent signal is delivered byIl-4 secreted by activated T cells and by NK1.1 cells binding to theIl-4 receptor on B cells. These signals appear to take place within theT cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs, such as the spleen. Thespleen, lymph nodes, tonsils, Peyer's patches and other secondary andtertiary lymphoid organs have distinct microanatomical areas withinwhich T and B cells typically reside. All lymphocytes migrate out of theblood or the lymph into the T cell area of these organs first, bycrossing endothelial cell layers such as the High Endothelial Venules inlymph nodes and Peyer's patches and the marginal sinus endothelial celllayer in the spleen. Then, the B cells move into B cell areas known as Bcell follicles. B cells which have traversed the T cell area but havenot become activated will leave the follicle after a few days. ActivatedB cell undergo a process of differentiation. Some activated B cells,known as plasmacytes, secrete large amounts of antigen specific, lowaffinity IgM or IgG antibody. These B cells typically appear early afterthe induction of the immune response, and move into the red pulp of thespleen and other anatomical locations, where they persist, secretingantibody, for several days. Other activated B cells differentiate withina region of the follicle known as the secondary follicle, or germinalcenter. Germinal centers form around networks of specialized antigenretaining cells known as Follicular Dendritic Cells (FDC), which arethought to display antigen to drive or refine the germinal centerreaction. B cells within the germinal center have “switched” their Igphenotype, and undergo “affinity maturation”, with the result that theydisplay a high affinity for their antigen target. Normally, the antigentarget is a foreign antigen, although in diseases such as chronic GVHDand autoimmune disorders the Igs recognize self-antigens. Finally, Bcells leave the follicles, migrate back through the T cells areas, andleave the organ via efferent circulation into the bloodstream.

B cells that have fully differentiated to express high affinity Ig areknown as blast cells, and they leave B cell follicles to take upresidence in various other environments, including the red-pulp areas ofthe spleen, the bone marrow, the liver, or mucosal cell layers liningthe respiratory tract and gut. Some of these fully differentiated Bcells are known as memory cells, and can persist for long periods oftime, ready to respond to the same antigen if it is encountered again.

As B cells migrate from location to location within the lymphoid organsthey require specific signals to guide them, and specific signals whichensure their survival. For example, multiple signals are required tomaintain B cell follicular organization in the spleen. These includeinteraction of the BCA ligand with the chemokine receptor BLR-1,interaction of TNF with TNF-R55, and interaction of LTheta with LTβ-R(reviewed in Chaplin and Fu, Current Opin. Immunol. 10: 298-297 (1998)).Mice which are deficient in any of these molecular pathways lose B cellfollicular integrity in the spleen. Furthermore, all of thesegene-deficient mice have also lost the ability to undergo germinalcenter reactions in the spleen. Disruption of other molecular pathwaysaffects the germinal center reaction only. For example, mice deficientin CD40L maintain B cell follicles, but germinal centers do not form. Bcells within the germinal center environment require signals throughCD40 to maintain survival and to downregulate IgM and switch to Igexpression.

B cells move not only within the follicle and germinal center, but alsoleave the follicle after activation, and move to other sites within thebody. Memory B cells can be found in the bone marrow, and B cells whichexpress IgA specifically traffic to cell layers in the gut and othermucosal sites. Other signals presumably guide activated T cells tospecific sites within and between lymphoid compartments. For example,cytotoxic T cell can migrate to the site of infection or other antigenchallenge to find and lyse their targets. The identities of all thesignals which guide T and B cells between different microanatomiclocations are not yet known. However it appears that multiple pathwaysorchestrate the T and B cell responses to antigen, both in secondarylymphoid organs, and at the sites of infection or inflammation.

GVHD is a well studied example of an antigen driven immune response.GVHD is an often fatal consequence of bone marrow transplantation (BMT)in human patients. The disease can occur in an acute or in a chronicform. Acute and chronic forms of GVHD are prototypic examples of thedevelopment of antigen specific Th1 and Th2 responses, respectively. Theacute form of the disease occurs within the first 2 months followingBMT, and is characterized by donor cytotoxic T cell-mediated damage toskin, gut, liver, and other organs. The chronic form of the disease ismanifested much later (over 100 days post-BMT) and is characterized byhyperproduction of immunoglobulin (Ig), including autoantibodies, anddamage to the skin, kidney, and other organs caused by Ig-deposition.The development of acute GVHD is predictive of the subsequentdevelopment of chronic GVHD. Thus, the same patient can develop bothdiseases, in sequence. Approximately 50% of all BMT patients developeither acute or chronic GVHD. Nearly 90% of acute GVHD patients go on todevelop chronic GVHD. No current therapies for chronic GVHD aresuccessful in the majority of patients.

GVHD can be modeled in the mouse using parental into F1 celltransplantation regimens. In the model described here, splenocytes fromthe DBA2 strain of mice are injected iv into (DBA2×C57B1/6) F1 mice,which are referred to as B6D2F1. The injected splenocytes constitute thegraft, and the DBA2 mouse is the donor of that graft. The F1 mouse whichreceives the graft is the host. Donor T cells present in the graftrecognize half of the MHC markers (haplotypes) on host cells as foreign,because they are derived from the other, C57B1/6 parent. This induces adonor T cell response against the host resulting in GVHD. When DBA/2parental splenocytes are injected into the B6D2F1 host, chronic GVHDdevelops. In contrast when C57B1/6 splenocytes are injected into theB6D2F1 host, acute GVHD develops. Although it remains unclear whatunderlying mechanism is responsible for the distinct disease outcomesusing these 2 injection protocols it is believed that the cytokinesexpressed by the cells contained within the DBA/2 splenocyte graft favorthe development of chronic GVHD while the cytokines expressed by thecells contained within the C57B1/6 splenocyte graft favor thedevelopment of acute GVHD. Reagents which interfere with T cellinteractions with antigen presenting cells (eg. dendritic cells,macrophages, B cells: APC) effectively block both acute and chronicGVHD.

A number of lines of evidence suggest that acute GVHD is a Th1 mediateddisease (Krenger and Ferrara, Immunol. Res. 15: 50-73 (1996), Williamsonet al., J. Immunol. 157: 689-699 (1996)). Cytotoxic activity by CD4+ andCD8+ T cells, by natural killer (NK) cells, and by activatedgranulocytes such as macrophages, is a well defined consequence of Th1mediated T cell response, and shows a characteristic dependence on theexpression of Il-2 and IFN-γ, which are typical Th1 cytokines. Suchcytotoxicity is a defining characteristic of acute GVHD. Furthermore,reagents which block critical cytokines involved in Th1 T celldifferentiation, such as mAbs to Il-2 and Il-12, block the developmentof acute GVHD. Cytotoxicity can be directly cellular (eg. byphagocytosis of host cells) or by the action of secreted cytokines suchas TNF which can induce apoptosis, or cell death. The consequence ofdonor anti-host cytotoxicity can be seen in a number of ways. First,host lymphocytes are rapidly destroyed, such that mice experiencingacute GVHD are profoundly immunosuppressed. Secondly, donor lymphocytesbecome engrafted and expand in the host spleen, and their cytotoxicactivity can be directly measured in vitro by taking advantage of celllines which express the host antigens that can be recognized (asforeign) by the donor cells. For example, cell lines expressing theappropriate antigens can be labeled with radioactive chromium51 isotope.Release of this radioactive isotope into the culture media is evidenceof the death of the labeled cell. Third, the disease becomes lethal asadditional tissues and cell populations are destroyed, and thereforesurvivorship is a measurable consequence of disease.

Chronic GVHD appears to be a Th2 T cell mediated disease (De Wit et al.,J. Immunol. 150: 361-366 (1993)). In the mouse model the development ofthe disease is dependent on the Th2 cytokine Il4, and can be blocked bytreating with anti-Il4 mAb. Such treatment blocks the expansion of hostB cells, and the concomitant hyper-Ig production. The development ofGVHD can be followed in a number of ways. The expansion of the donor Tcell and host B cell populations can be measured by the spleen index,which is the ratio of spleen weight to body weight, normalized tocontrol (non-diseased) mice. The activation of B cells in diseased micecan be measured using analyses of B cell activation markers. Finally,the effects of B cell activation can be seen in the levels of Ig incirculation (eg. in serum) or produced by cultures of host splenocytesharvested several weeks after disease induction. Circulating Ig indiseased animals will contain anti-self antibodies. Ultimately, diseasedanimals succumb to kidney and other organ failure due to accumulated Igdeposition, and therefore survivorship is a relevant measure of diseaseactivity.

We now show that a monoclonal antibody specific for TWEAK effectivelyand specifically blocks aspects of the development of GVHD, using themouse model of chronic GVHD. The block in development of chronic GVHD isshown as a reduction in the spleen index, the loss of activation markerson host B cells, and reduced Ig production in the anti-TWEAK treatedanimals.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods for blocking the development or treatingor reducing the severity or effects of an immunological disorder in ananimal including administering a pharmaceutical composition whichcomprises a therapeutically effective amount of a TWEAK blocking agentand a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The compound may be anantibody directed against a TWEAK ligand; an antibody directed against aTWEAK receptor; an agent that modifies the binding of the TWEAK ligandto a TWEAK receptor; an agent that modifies cell surface receptorclustering; and an agent that can interrupt intracellular signaling of aTWEAK receptor. In a preferred embodiment the antibody is a monoclonalantibody. In a more preferred embodiment the monoclonal antibody isdirected against the TWEAK surface ligand. The animal may be mammalianand may be a human. The TWEAK blocking agent may be a soluble TWEAKreceptor having a ligand binding domain that can selectively bind to asurface TWEAK ligand. In one embodiment the soluble TWEAK receptor mayinclude a human immunoglobulin IgG domain. In a preferred embodiment,the human immunoglobulin IgG domain includes regions responsible forspecific antigen binding.

The invention further includes a method for inhibiting an immuneresponse in an animal, including administering a pharmaceuticalcomposition which comprises an effective amount of a TWEAK blockingagent and a pharmaceutically effective carrier. The immune response maybe Th1 or a Th2 cell-mediated immune response or both.

The invention also includes a composition having a therapeuticallyeffective amount of a TWEAK blocking agent and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a sequence alignment of soluble recombinant murine andhuman TWEAK proteins. Identical residues are indicated in bold face.

FIG. 2 shows a Fluorescent Activated Cell Sorting (FACS) analysis of thebinding of hamster anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3 to EBNA293 cells expressingmurine TWEAK protein or human TWEAK protein, compared to the binding ofa hamster mAb which recognizes an irrelevant protein (Keyhole LimpetHemocyanin). 2a) Analysis of anti-TWEAK mAb binding to murine TWEAKtransfected EBNA293 cells (forward scatter (size) and side scatter(granularity)); 2b) analysis of anti-TWEAK mAb binding to human TWEAKtransfected EBNA293 cells (forward scatter (size) and side scatter(granularity)); 2c) histogram showing PE-reactivity of anti-TWEAK mAbbinding to murine TWEAK transfected EBNA293 cells: A. unstained cells,B. stained with streptavidin-PE, C. stained with control mAb Ha4/8,biotinylated goat anti-hampster IgG, and steptavidin-PE, D. stained withAB.D3, biotinylated goat anti-hamster IgG, and steptavidin-PE; 2d)histogram showing PE-reactivity of anti-TWEAK mAb binding to human TWEAKtransfected EBNA293 cells: A. unstained cells, B. stained withstreptavidin-PE, C. stained with control mAb Ha4/8, biotinylated goatanti-hampster IgG, and steptavidin-PE, D. stained with AB.D3,biotinylated goat anti-hamster IgG, and steptavidin-PE.

FIG. 3 shows a FACS analysis of the ability of mAb AB.D3 to block thebinding of FLAG-tagged recombinant soluble human TWEAK to TWEAK receptorpositive cells. 3a) HT29 cell population showing forward scatter andside scatter; 3b) HT29 cells incubated A. alone, or with lug Flag-taggedhuman TWEAK protein plus B. no mAB, C. 10 ug mAb AB.D3, D. 10 ug controlhamster mAb, or E. 10 ug soluble murine TWEAK.

FIG. 4 shows a FACS analysis of the activation state of B cells in miceundergoing chronic GVHD, treated with anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3, anti-CD40LmAb MR1, control mAb, or untreated. 4a) Derivation of the lymphocytegate used in the analysis; 4b) derivation of the B220+ gate used in theanalysis; 4c-g) splenocytes derived from mice with chronic GVHD, treatedas labeled, and gated using R1 and R2. FL1 shows FITC-anti B220 stainingand FL2 shows PE-antiCD69 staining. R3 encompasses the B220+/CD69+cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION DEFINITIONS

In order that the invention herein described may be fully understood,the following detailed description is set forth.

The terms “humoral response” and “cellular response” as used hereinrefer to the immunological response of an animal to an antigen wherebythe animal produces antibodies to an antigen or produces a cytotoxicresponse to the antigen, or both. The Th1 class of T helper cells areimportant for the induction of the cellular response, and the Th2 classof T helper cells are important to the efficient production of highaffinity antibodies.

The term “T helper (Th) cells” as used herein, refers to a functionalsubclass of T cells which help to generate cytotoxic T cells and whichcooperate with B cells to stimulate antibody production. Helper T cellsrecognize antigen in association with class II MHC molecules and providecontact dependent and contact independent (cytokine and chemokine)signals to effector cells.

The term “Th1” refers to a subclass of T helper cells that produce TNF,interferon-γ and IL-2 (and other cytokines) and which elicitinflammatory reactions associated with a cellular, i.e.non-immunoglobulin, response to a challenge.

The term “Th2” refers to a subclass of T helper cells that producesIL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and other cytokines, which are associated withan immunoglobulin (humoral) response to an immune challenge.

The term “germinal center” as used herein refers to a secondary B cellfollicle which forms after antigen immunization. The appearance of thishistologic site correlates with optimal memory generation, isotypeswitching, somatic hypermutation and thus the affinity maturation of anantibody response.

The term “antibody producing cells” refers to B cells which havereceived contact dependent and contact independent signals from Thcells, and are secreting immunoglobulins of the IgM, IgG, IgA, or IgEsubclasses.

The term “Fc domain” of an antibody refers to a part of the moleculecomprising the hinge, CH2 and CH3 domains, but lacking the antigenbinding sites. The term is also meant to include the equivalent regionsof an IgM or other antibody isotype.

The term “anti-TWEAK antibody” refers to any antibody that specificallybinds to at least one epitope of the TWEAK protein.

The term “anti-TWEAK receptor antibody” refers to any antibody thatspecifically binds to at least one epitope of a TWEAK receptor.

The term “TWEAK receptor signaling” refers to molecular reactionsassociated with a TWEAK receptor pathway and subsequent molecularreactions which result therefrom.

The terms “TWEAK or TWEAK-receptor modifying agent” and “TWEAK orTWEAK-receptor modifying reagent” refers to any agent that can modifyligand binding to a TWEAK receptor, can modify cell surface TWEAKreceptor clustering or TWEAK receptor signaling, or that can influencehow a TWEAK receptor signal is interpreted within the cell.

The term “TWEAK ligand” or “TWEAK protein” refers to any TWEAKmonomeric, polymeric, or heteromeric complex or derivative thereof thatcan specifically bind to a TWEAK receptor.

The term “subject” refers to an animal, or to one or more cells derivedfrom an animal. Preferably, the animal is a mammal. Cells may be in anyform, including but not limited to cells retained in tissue, cellclusters, immortalized, transfected or transformed cells, and cellsderived from an animal that has been physically or phenotypicallyaltered.

TWEAK Ligand

TWEAK is a recently discovered member of the TNF family of proteins(Chicheportiche et al., J. Biol. Chem. 272: 32401-32410 (1997)). Membersof the TNF family of proteins bind to receptors of the TNF-receptor(TNF-R) family of proteins. The interaction of proteins of the TNFfamily with their receptors influence a wide variety of functions withinthe immune system. Well known examples include the CD40L protein, whichbinds to the CD40 receptor to promote the differentiation of B cellsinto antibody producing cells (Grewal and Flavell, Immunol. Res. 16:59-70 (1997)), the lymphotoxin-beta ligand (LT-β), which binds to thelymphotoxin-beta receptor to influence humoral immune responses byregulating the differentiation state of follicular dendritic cells(Mackay and Browning, Nature 395: 26-27 (1998)), and the OX40L, whichbinds the OX40 receptor to regulate the response of B cells to T cellsignals (Flynn et al., J. Exp. Med. 188: 297-304 (1998)). Otherligand/receptor pairs within the TNF/TNF-R families which are known toplay critical roles in the immune system include TNF/TNF-R55, FasL/Fas,and CD27/CD70.

TWEAK biology is as yet only partly understood. Purified soluble TWEAKprotein was used to induce the differentiation and/or death of sometumor cell lines, including HT29 adenocarcinoma cells (cell death viaapoptosis), HeLa cervical carcinoma cells (morphological changes), andA375 melanoma cells (anti-proliferation). TWEAK also induced the HT29and A375 cell lines to secrete the chemokine IL-8, and had the sameeffect on a fibroblast cell line, WI-38 (Chicheportiche et al., J. Biol.Chem. 51: 32401-32410 (1997)). In addition TWEAK induced proliferationof a variety of normal endothelial cell lines (Lynch et al., J.Interferon Cytokine Res. 18: A-46 (1998)).

A putative receptor for TWEAK has been described (Marsters et al., Curr.Biol. 8: 525-528 (1998)) 1998). This receptor, variably known as TRAMP,Apo3, WSL-1, DR-3, or LARD is a member of the TNF-R family. Activationof TRAMP can induce apoptosis by engaging either the caspase-dependantcell death signaling pathway or cellular activation via NF-kB signalingpathways (Ashkenazi and Dixit, Science 281: 1305-1308 (1998)).

The expression of TWEAK in mouse and human tissues is widespread, withmessenger RNA (mRNA) found in heart, brain, lung, liver, among othertissues, and secondary lymphoid organs such as spleen, lymph nodes, andperipheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). TWEAK does not appear to beexpressed in the primary lymphoid organs where immune system cellsdevelop, such as thymus, bone marrow, and fetal liver. Thus the rolesthat TWEAK may play in the immune system are likely be in immuneresponses, rather than in the development of the immune system.

The interaction of protein ligands and their receptors can be modifiedusing a number of specific tools. For example, monoclonal antibodies(mAbs) which specifically recognize the ligand can be used to prevent ormodify ligand/receptor binding, by virtue of recognition of the bindingsite, or by physically interfering with the interaction. Alternatively,anti-ligand mAbs can influence receptor signaling by influencing thebinding of other ligands, when multiple ligands exist for a receptor.Such complicated effects have been noted for mAbs to the B7 family ofCD28 ligands (Lenschow et al. J. Exp. Med. 181: 1145-1155 (1995)).Anti-ligand mAbs may have even more subtle effects in systems wheremultiple receptors exist for a particular ligand, eg. by modifyingligand binding to one receptor but leaving binding to another receptorunchanged. MAbs which recognize the receptor can also be used to modifyligand binding, or may themselves induce or modify receptor signaling.Thus anti-receptor mAbs can be antagonistic or agonistic. Examples ofmAbs used in the mouse or human systems to modify ligand/receptorinteractions of TNF/TNF-R family members include mAbs specific for TNF,for CD40L, for LT-β, for Fas-L, and for TR2/HVEM, among others. MAbs canbe used to block the initiation or development of immunologic and otherdiseases. For example, anti-CD40L has been used in treatment of systemiclupus erythematosis (SLE), and to control organ transplant failure.

Potent inhibitors of ligand/receptor interaction can also be created bycloning the sequences which encode the extracellular portion of receptorsequences to sequences which encode human immunoglobulin (Ig) heavychain, then expressing the hybrid gene, using an appropriate genepromoter, in an appropriate cell line. Purified receptor-Ig fusionproteins can be used in vitro and in vivo to bind to available proteinligand, and thus modify the interaction of the ligand with the native,cell bound, receptor. Modification can occur by a variety of mechanisms,similar to those outlined above for anti-ligand mAbs. Examples ofreceptor-Ig fusion proteins used in the mouse or human systems to modifyligand/receptor interactions of TNF/TNF-R family members includeTNF-R55-Ig, TNF-R75-Ig, LTβ-R-Ig, and OX40-Ig, among others. Receptor-Igfusion proteins can be used to block the initiation or development ofimmunologic and other diseases. For example, TNF-R75-Ig has been used totreat Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).

Herein we demonstrate that a mAb which specifically binds to murine andhuman TWEAK blocks the development of a prototypical antigen-drivenimmunological disorder, Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD). Our inventionanticipates the use of TWEAK and TWEAK receptor(s) modifying reagents totreat a variety of immunological disorders which result from theintroduction of foreign antigen into patients, such as GVHD whichresults from bone marrow or stem cell transplantation, and organtransplant failure resulting from graft rejection. Furthermore thisinvention anticipates the use of TWEAK and TWEAK receptor(s) modifyingreagents to treat a variety of autoimmune disorders, such as SLE,Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura, Wegener's Granulomatosis,Polyarteritis Nodosa, Retinal Uveitis, Rapidly Progressive CrescenticGlomerulonephritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, andulcerative colitis, among other examples. Other anticipated uses includetreatment of acute and chronic inflammatory conditions, such as allergicinflammation, asthma, eosinophilia, Graves' disease, and Chagas'disease, among others.

Materials and Methods

Mice Six to eight week old female mice of the DBA/2 and C57B1/6 strains,and the (DBA/2×C57B1/6)F1 cross were purchased from Jackson Laboratory(Bar Harbor, Me. USA), housed under conventional barrier protection, andhandled in accordance with institutional guidelines.

Monoclonal antibodies Monoclonal antibodies which recognize human andmurine TWEAK protein were generated in Armenian hamsters using solublehuman TWEAK protein that had been generated in baculovirus and purifiedas described (Chicheportiche et al., J. Biol. Chem. 51: 32401-32410(1997)). For the first immunization each hamster received 50 μgs TWEAKin complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), injected ip. For the subsequentimmunizations (days 14, 28, and 42 after the primary immunization) eachhamster recieved 50 (days 14 and 28) or 33 (day 42) μgs TWEAK inIncomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA), ip. The final immunization beforefusion of the spleen cell for hybridoma formation was with 100 μgs TWEAKwithout adjuvant, ip. Hybridoma generation was performed using standardprocedures (Lerner, Yale J. Biol. Med. 54: 387-402 (1981)).

The hybridoma which produces anti-murine CD40L mAb MR1 (Noelle et al.,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 89: 6550-6554 (1992)) was purchased from ATCC(Rockville, Md. USA). The hybridoma which produces anti-KLH mAb Ha4/8was obtained from Dr. Mendrick (Human Genome Sciences, Inc. Rockville,Md. USA).

ELISA analyses of mAb activity Anti-human TWEAK mAbs were tested fortheir ability to bind to human and murine TWEAK in a variety ofexperimental formats. Several mAbs raised against human TWEAK proteinalso recognized the mouse TWEAK protein in an initial screening of mABactivity which was done using ELISA format assays. Murine TWEAK proteinwas generated in baculovirus using methods similar to those describedfor human TWEAK protein (Chicheportiche et al., J. Biol. Chem. 51:32401-32410 (1997)). Purified human and murine TWEAK proteins werecoated onto 96 well plates, and various hamster mAbs were tested fortheir ability to bind to these immobilized proteins. The capture ofhamster mAb by the immobilized TWEAK proteins was visualized usingPeroxidase-coupled donkey anti-hamster IgG (Jackson ImmunoResearch, WestGrove, Pa. USA), and an appropriate peroxidase-dependent enzymaticreaction.

FACS analyses of mAb activity Soluble TWEAK protein induces apoptosis inHT29 cells, indicating that these cells express a TWEAK receptor(Chicheportiche et al., J. Biol. Chem. 51: 32401-32410 (1997)). PurifiedmAbs (10 μg/ml) were tested for their ability to block the binding ofFLAG-tagged murine or human TWEAK to HT29 cells, as detected by abiotinylated anti-FLAG antibody, streptaviden-peroxidase, andappropriate enzymatic substrate.

Induction of chronic GVHD 6-8 week old DBA/2 and B6D2F1 female mice weresacrificed, and the spleens were removed using sterile technique. Singlecell suspensions were made by gently grinding the organs between roughglass slides, allowing gross debris to settle out, then pelleting thecleared supernatant. This cell pellet was resuspended in Gey's bufferedhypertonic solution, and incubated on ice for 3′ to lyse red bloodcells. 5 ml Geys was used per each spleen disrupted. The cell solutionwas pelleted again, resuspended in sterile, pyrogen-free PBS, pelleted,and resuspended a second time in sterile, pyrogen-free PBS. Cell numberwas determined using a hemocytometer, and the cell density was adjustedto 2×10⁸/ml. This solution was then passed through a sterile 70 um cellfilter, and kept on ice until use 6-8 week old B6D2F1 female mice wereused as recipients. Each recipient was injected with 500 μl (1×10⁸)cells in the vail vein. Experimental groups recieved the DBA/2 graft(DBA/2>F1), while a set of control animals recieved a B6D2F1 graft(F1>F1). Animals were assayed for the development of chronic GVHD 14days after injection.

Blocking chronic GVHD Mice received anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3, anti-CD40L mAbMR1, control mAb Ha4/8, or no treatment. The treatment schedule was 250μgs mAb ip 4 hours prior to graft injection, and 2, 4, and 6 daysafterwards.

Assays of disease development On day 14 of the experiment the mice weresacrificed and weighed. Then, the spleen was aseptically removed andweighed. The spleen index was calculated as the ratio of spleen to bodyweight for each animal in the control F1>F1 group, averaged to give avalue of one. The average spleen index for all other groups isnormalized to the control value. Splenocytes were then isolated fromthese spleens, as described above, then diluted to a concentration of1×10⁷ cells/ml in sterile PBS. For FACS analysis 100 μls of cell werestained for the following cell surface markers. All mAbs described werepurchased from Pharmingen (San Diego, Calif. USA). The streptavidinreagent was purchased from Southern Biotechnology Corp (Birmingham,Ala., USA). Splenocytes were stained with biotinylated anti-H-2K^(b) ahaplotype marker which can distinguish the donor cells (H-2K^(b)−) fromhost cells (H-2K^(b)+) in various combinations with directly conjugatedFITC or PE labelled anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-B220, anti-CD69, antiI-A^(d), anti-L-selectin, and anti-H2D^(d), in PBS/0.5% Bovine serumalbumin (BSA)/0.1% sodium azide (FACS buffer) containing 10 μg/mlFcBlock™ (Pharmingen) to interrupt non-specific binding to Fc receptors.The cells were incubated with the mAbs for 1 h on ice. Each sample wasthen resuspended in 2 ml FACS buffer to wash, then centrifuged to pelletthe cell. The cells were resuspended in FACS buffer containing CyChromelabelled streptavidin, which bound to the biotinylated mAb to provide athird channel for FACS analysis, washed a final time, and analyzed usingFACscan instrumentation and Cellquest software (Becton Dickenson, SanJose, Calif. USA).

For in vitro analysis of Ig secretion cells were pelleted andresuspended in DMEM containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)/4 mMglutamine, at a concentration of 1×10⁷ cells/ml. One ml per well wasdistributed into 6 well plates. Cell supernatants were recovered after24 hours.

Source of Anti-TWEAK Antibodies In one embodiment of this invention,antibodies (Abs) directed against TWEAK function as TWEAK blockingagents. Abs can be raised against monomeric, dimeric, or trimeric formsof the TWEAK protein, with or without heterologous subunits, if theseexist. Furthermore, Abs can be raised against soluble, mutant, altered,or chimeric forms of TWEAK proteins. The anti-TWEAK Abs of thisinvention can be polyclonal or monoclonal (mAbs) and can be modified tooptimize their ability to block TWEAK binding to its receptor(s), theirin vivo bioavailability, stability, or other desired traits.

Polyclonal antibody sera directed against TWEAK are prepared usingconventional techniques by injecting animals such as goats, rabbits,rats, hamsters or mice subcutaneously with human TWEAK in completeFreund's adjuvant (CFA), followed by booster intraperitoneal orsubcutaneous injection in incomplete Freund's adjuvant (IFA). Polyclonalantisera containing the desired Abs directed against TWEAK are screenedby conventional immunological procedures.

Hamster monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against human TWEAK areprepared using conventional methods by injecting armenian hamsterssubcutaneously with recombinant soluble human TWEAK in CFA, followed bybooster intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection in IFA. A hybridomacell line (AB.D3.7.2) which produces the hamster anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3was deposited on Dec. 17, 1998 with the American Type Culture Collection(ATCC) (ATCC, 10801 University Boulevard. Manassas, Va. 20110-2209)according to the provisions of the Budapest Treaty, and was assigned theATCC accession number HB-12622. All restrictions on the availability tothe public of the above ATCC deposit will be irrevocably removed uponthe granting of a patent on this application.

Various forms of anti-TWEAK Abs can also be made using standardrecombinant DNA techniques (Winter and Milstein, Nature, 349, pp. 293-99(1991)). For example, “chimeric” antibodies can be constructed in whichthe antigen binding domain from an animal antibody is linked to a humanconstant domain (e.g. Cabilly et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,567; Morrisonet al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 81, pp. 6851-55 (1984)). ChimericAbs reduce the observed immunogenic responses elicited by animal Abswhen used in human clinical treatments.

In addition, recombinant “humanized antibodies” which recognize TWEAKcan be synthesized. Humanized Abs are chimeras comprising mostly humanIgG sequences into which the regions responsible for specificantigen-binding have been inserted (e.g. WO 94/04679). Animals areimmunized with the desired antigen, the corresponding Abs are isolated,and the portion of the variable region sequences responsible forspecific antigen binding are removed. The animal-derived antigen bindingregions are then cloned into the appropriate position of human antibodygenes in which the antigen binding regions have been deleted. HumanizedAbs minimize the use of heterologous (inter-species) sequences in humanAbs, and are less likely to elicit immune responses in the treatedsubject.

Construction of different classes of recombinant anti-TWEAK Abs can alsobe accomplished by making chimeric or humanized Abs comprising theanti-TWEAK variable domains and human constant domains (CH1, CH2, CH3)isolated from different classes of immunoglobulins. For example,anti-TWEAK IgM Abs with increased antigen binding site valencies can berecombinantly produced by cloning the antigen binding site into vectorscarrying the human IgM heavy chain constant regions (Arulanandam et al.,J. Exp. Med., 177, pp. 1439-50 (1993); Lane et al., Eur. J. Immunol.,22, pp. 2573-78 (1993); Traunecker et al., Nature, 339, pp. 68-70(1989)).

In addition, standard recombinant DNA techniques can be used to alterthe binding affinities of recombinant Abs with their antigens byaltering amino acid residues in the vicinity of the antigen bindingsites. The antigen binding affinity of a humanized Ab can be increasedby mutagenesis based on molecular modeling (Queen et al., Proc. Natl.Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 86, pp. 10029-33 (1989); WO 94/04679).

It may be desirable to increase or to decrease the affinity ofanti-TWEAK Abs for TWEAK depending on the targeted tissue type or theparticular treatment schedule envisioned. For example, it may beadvantageous to treat a patient with constant levels of anti-TWEAK Abswith reduced ability to modify the TWEAK pathway for semi-prophylactictreatments. Likewise, anti-TWEAK Abs with increased affinity for TWEAKmay be advantageous for short-term treatments.

The production of hamster anti-human TWEAK monoclonal antibody isillustrated in EXAMPLE 1.

Use of Anti-TWEAK mAb to Block the Development of Chronic GVHD, anAntigen-Driven Immunological Disease. We now show the effects of a TWEAKblocking agent, mAb AB.D3, on the development of an immunologicalresponse in a mouse model of chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD).The ability to block chronic GVHD includes effects on B cell activationand proliferation, and on the generation of secreted IgG. Mice weretreated intraperitoneally (ip) with 250 μgs anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3,anti-KLH control mAb Ha4/8, anti-CD40L mAb MR1, or were left untreated.4 hours later mice received 1×10⁸ splenocytes isolated from DBA/2 mice,in an 0.5 ml injection given intraveneously (iv). The iv injected DBA/2splenocytes constituted the allograft. 2, 4, and 6 days after the graftwas given, the mice were again treated with 250 μgs anti-TWEAK mAbAB.D3, anti-KLH control mAb Ha4/8, or anti-CD40L mAb MR1. A controlgroup of mice received 1×10⁸ B6D2F1 splenocytes, which cannot inducedisease in B6D2F1 recipients. Alternatively, ungrafted and untreatedB6D2F1 mice were used as controls. 14 days after the graft was given themice were sacrificed and examined for evidence of disease.

Untreated graft-recipient mice manifest a variety of symptoms that areindicative of the development of chronic GVHD. Splenomegaly, orenlargement of the spleen, is evidence that donor T cells and host Bcells have become activated, and are undergoing polyclonal expansion,with dramatic increases in cell number. The appearance of cell surfaceproteins such as CD69 on a subset of B cells is indicative of B cellactivation. The loss of L-selectin molecules from CD4+ and CD8+ T cellsis evidence of T cell activation. The secretion of Ig molecules, such asIgG classes, IgA, and IgE, either into the serum, or in in vitro cellculture assays, indicates that B cells have become activated, and haveswitched their Ig class. In this regard the appearance of anti-self Igsin the serum or in in vitro cell culture assays shows that Igs that arebeing produced have inappropriate autoantigen recognition. Finally,survivorship can be measured as an outcome of different treatmentregimens.

We compared control mice to untreated allograft-recipient mice toexamine the extent of splenomegaly, B cell activation, and Ig secretionduring GVHD. Anti-CD40L mAb MR1 was used as a positive control in theseexperiments, since it has been previously shown that blocking theCD40L/CD40 interaction is an effective means of interfering with thedevelopment of chronic GVHD (Durie, et al., J. Clin. Invest. 94:1333-1338 (1994)). A hamster mAb, Ha4/8, raised to Keyhole LimpetHemocyanin (KLH) served as a negative control treatment. Results from 2experiments are shown in Table 2. In both experiments treatment withanti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3 reduced the amount of splenomegaly (compared tountreated allograft-recipients) approximately 33%. Treatment with thenegative control mAb Ha4/8 had no effect, while treatment withanti-CD40L mAb MR1 blocked splenomegaly by nearly 70%. To investigatecell populations affected by treatment with anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3 FACSanalyses were performed on splenocytes taken from the recipient mice 14days after graft injection. Spleen cells from 3-4 mice per group wereisolated and pooled. Activation of recipient B cells is a definingfeature of chronic GVHD. In untreated and control mAb treated mice asmall but readily visible proportion of the B200+ B cells express theactivation marker CD69 (FIG. 4 and Table 3). In contrast, virtually noB200+ B cells in MR1 or AD.B3 treated mice express CD69. Lack ofmeasurable B cell activation in the spleen of AB.D3 mice could be due toone or more of several mechanisms of action, including failure of T cellactivation, failure of B cell activation, or cell death (apoptosis).Next we measured total IgG in cultures of splenocytes in mice fromdifferent treatment groups to determine if the loss of the CD69activation marker from the B cell populations correlated with afunctional readout, ie. IgG production. Untreated control mice, MR1treated mice, and AB.D3 treated mice produced dramatically lower amountsof total IgGs than did untreated or Ha4/8-treated allograft-recipientmice (Table 4). This result shows that Ig secretion by activated Bcells, a defining feature of chronic GVHD, is blocked by treatment withanti-TWEAK mAb. The use of anti-TWEAK mAb to block the development ofchronic GVHD is illustrated in Example 2.

Other Antibody Mediated Diseases Many organ-specific and systemicautoimmune diseases involve pathological antibody responses. Suchconditions include: Myasthenia Gravis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia,Chaga's disease, Grave's disease, idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura(ITP) Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), Wegener's Granulomatosis,Poly-arteritis Nodosa and Rapidly Progressive CrescenticGlomerulonephritis (From Benjamini, et al. Immunology, A Short Course,(Wiley-Liss, N.Y. 3d ed. (1996)) Although the etiology of SLE isundefined, a fair amount is known about the immunologic mechanismresponsible for the pathology observed. For unknown reasons, patientswith SLE produce antibodies against nuclear components of the body(antinuclear antibodies (ANA) notably against native double strandedDNA. Clinically the presence of these antibodies correlates best withthe renal pathology that develops in SLE. These antibodies complex withDNA apparently derived from the breakdown of normal tissue, and as inany immune—aggregate disease, such complexes form deposits trappedagainst the basement membrane of the glomeruli, in arteriolar walls andin joint synovial spaces. These complexes activate the complementcascade and attract granulocytes. The subsequent inflammatory reactionis characterized as glomerulonephritis, with resulting damage to thekidneys leading to proteinuria and hematuria.

SLE has been studied in murine models for decades. The development ofSLE can be blocked using reagents such as CTLA4-Ig fusion protein andanti-CD40L, which interrupt critical steps in T and B cell activation(Grewal and Flavell, Immunol. Rev. 153: 85-106 (1996)). Recently, thetherapeutic efficacy of a reagent specific for the murine CD40 ligandwas evaluated in several models (Mohan, et al., J. Immunol., 154, pp.1470-1480 (1995)). The acceleration of lupus by the transfer of cellswhich induce the production of pathogenic antibodies in vivo was shownto be inhibited by administration of a monoclonal antibody which blocksCD40/CD40 ligand interactions. Moreover a brief treatment of lupus micewith anti-CD40 ligand antibody had a sustained beneficial effect ontheir spontaneous disease long after the antibody had been cleared fromtheir systems. The experimentation indicated that pathogenic B cellscould not produce antibody even 9 months after the therapy suggestingthat there was a delay of the expansion of autoimmune memory B cellsresulting in long-term therapeutic benefits. Moreover, anti CD40Ltreatment was able to halt or delay the progression of established SLEin a spontaneously occurring mouse model (Kalled, et al., J. Immunol.160: 2158-2165 (1998)). As we have shown that reagents which modifyTWEAK/TWEAK receptor(s) interaction in vivo inhibit B cell activationand Ig production, reagents of this invention will be useful fortreating or preventing SLE.

The normal immune response to some pathogenic infectious agents elicitsautoantibody responses that can become excessive and present a medicalproblem. One example is Chagas' disease, an inflammatory cardiomyopathywhich develops in humans and experimental animals with chronicTrypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi) infection. Recently, several studies haveidentified anti-self antibodies in the sera of Chagas' disease patients(Bach-Elias et al., Parasitol. Res. 84: 796-799 (1998)). Furthermore,induction of heart—specific autoimmune responses has recently receivedsubstantial experimental support as a possible mechanism involved in thepathogenesis of human Chagas' cardiomyopathy. A recent study (Tibbetts,et al., J. Immunol., 152, pp. 1493-1499 (1994)) determined that cardiacantigen-specific antibodies are produced in T. Cruzi—infected C57B1/6mice with heart disease. Upon infection with the Brazil strain of T.Cruzi, C57B1/6 mice develop a cardiomyopathy that is histologicallysimilar to that observed in chronically infected humans. Antisera fromthese mice react with three cardiac antigens while C57B1/6 mice infectedwith the Guayas strain of T. Cruzi which do not develop cardiomyopathydid not produce such antibodies. These data indicate that theseantibodies are specific markers of cardiomyopathy. The ability of TWEAKmodifying agents to block B cell activation and Ig production will beuseful in blocking the cardiac damage that occurs in Chagas' diseasepatients.

Another example of cell destruction by autoantibodies generated as aconsequence of certain infectious diseases or for other unknown reasonsis idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP). In this conditionantibodies directed to platelets result in platelet destruction (bycomplement or phagocytic cells with Fc or C3b receptor) which may leadto bleeding. Therapeutics which will inhibit such antibody mediatedautoimmune reactions in vivo such as the TWEAK modifying agents of thisinvention—which inhibit antibody generation—will be useful to treat orprevent these autoimmune diseases as well.

The normal immune response to some pathogenic infectious agents can alsoelicit hypersensitivity reactions that can become excessive and presentthemselves as a medical problem. The most prevalent example of type Ihypersensitivity is allergic reaction. These are mediated by IgEantibodies which bind via their Fc portion to receptors on mast cellsand basophils to trigger the release of pharmacologically active agentsthat mediate anaphylaxis. ITP and Goodpasture's syndrome are sometimesthought to be Type II reactions which occur when IgM or IgG antibodiesbind to antigen on the cell surface and activate the complement cascade.Granulocytes are then attracted to the site of activation, and damagefrom the release of lytic enzymes from their granules results in thedestruction of cells. Rheumatic arthritis is thought to result from atype III hypersensitivity reaction mediated by immune complexes ofantigen (in this case rheumatoid factor, an IgM autoantibody) that bindsto the Fc portion of normal IgG. These immune complexes participate incausing inflammation of joints and the damage characteristic of thisdisease. As these pathologies are mediated in part by antibodies,therapeutics which will inhibit the generation of antibody, such as theTWEAK modifying agents of this invention, will be useful for treating orpreventing these diseases as well.

Additional examples of diseases which cause significantantibody-mediated damage to the patient include Graves' disease andacute hemolytic anemia. It is anticipated that TWEAK modifying agentswill show efficacy in preventing or treating such diseases

Inhibition of Cellular Immune Responses We have demonstrated thatadministration of reagents which modify the activity of TWEAK protein invivo block the development of an antibody-mediated (humoral) immunedisorder, chronic GVHD. Other potent immune system modifiers which arecapable of blocking the development of chronic GVHD include anti-CD40Land CTLA4-Ig fusion protein. These reagents block critical steps in Tand B cell activation (Grewal and Flavell, Immunol. Rev. 153: 85-106(1996)). Therefore, therapeutic manipulation of these other potentimmune system pathways has not been limited to the humoral immuneresponses. For example anti-CD40L and CTLA4-lg have been used separatelyand together to control organ transplant rejection in animal models(Kirk et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 94 :8789-8794 (1997)). Much ofthe immune response to transplanted organs is Th1 T cell mediated, andconsists of a cytotoxic cellular immune response. Such cellular immuneresponses are responsible for cell mediated damage in a variety of otherimmune disorders such as autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory boweldisease, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, ulcerativecolitis, and Crohn's disease, as examples. Based on the ability to blockthe development of chronic GVHD, our invention anticipates the use ofTWEAK or TWEAK-receptor modifying reagents in the therapeutic treatmentof cellular immune disorders.

Treatments Using TWEAK and TWEAK-Receptor Modifying Agents Thecompositions of this invention will be administered at an effective doseto treat the particular clinical condition addressed. Determination of apreferred pharmaceutical formulation and a therapeutically efficientdose regiment for a given application is well within the skill of theart taking into consideration, for example, the condition and weight ofthe patient, the extent of desired treatment and the tolerance of thepatient for the treatment.

Doses of about 5 mg/kg of a TWEAK or TWEAK-Receptor modifying agent areexpected to be suitable starting points for optimizing treatment doses.

Determination of a therapeutically effective dose can also be assessedby performing in vitro experiments that measure the concentration of themodifying agent required to coat target cells (TWEAK orTWEAK-Receptor-positive cells depending on the modifying agent) forsuitable (therapeutic) time periods. The FACS and ELISA receptor-ligandbinding assays described herein can be used to monitor the cell coatingreaction. Based on the results of such in vitro binding assays, a rangeof suitable modifying agent concentrations can be selected to test inanimals.

Administration of the soluble modifying agents of this invention, aloneor in combination, including isolated and purified forms of anti-TWEAKand anti-TWEAK-R antibodies, receptor-Ig fusion proteins, other TWEAKand TWEAK-receptor modifying reagents including naturally occurring orchemically derived reagents, and their salts or pharmaceuticallyacceptable derivatives thereof, may be accomplished using any of theconventionally accepted modes of administration of agents which exhibitimmunosuppressive activity.

The pharmaceutical compositions used in these therapies may also be in avariety of forms. These include, for example, solid, semi-solid andliquid dosage forms such as tablets, pills, powders, liquid solutions orsuspensions, suppositories, and injectable and infusible solutions. Thepreferred form depends on the intended mode of administration andtherapeutic application. Modes of administration may include oral,parenteral, subcutaneous, intravenous, intralesional or topicaladministration.

The TWEAK and TWEAK-receptor modifying agents of this invention may, forexample, be placed into sterile, isotonic formulations with or withoutcofactors which stimulate uptake or stability. The formulation ispreferably liquid, or may be lyophilized powder. For example, the TWEAKand TWEAK-receptor modifying agents of this invention may be dilutedwith a formulation buffer comprising 5.0 mg/ml citric acid monohydrate,2.7 mg/ml trisodium citrate, 41 mg/ml mannitol, 1 mg/ml glycine and 1mg/ml polysorbate 20. This solution can be lyophilized, stored underrefrigeration and reconstituted prior to administration with sterileWater-For-Injection (USP).

The compositions also will preferably include conventionalpharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the art (see forexample Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th Edition, 1980, MacPublishing Company). Such pharmaceutically acceptable carriers mayinclude other medicinal agents, carriers, genetic carriers, adjuvants,excipients, etc., such as human serum albumin or plasma preparations.The compositions are preferably in the form of a unit dose and willusually be administered one or more times a day.

The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may also beadministered using microspheres, liposomes, other microparticulatedelivery systems or sustained release formulations placed in, near, orotherwise in communication with affected tissues or the bloodstream.Suitable examples of sustained release carriers include semipermeablepolymer matrices in the form of shaped articles such as suppositories ormicrocapsules. Implantable or microcapsular sustained release matricesinclude polylactides (U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,319; EP 58,481), copolymers ofL-glutamic acid and ethyl-L-glutamate (Sidman et al., Biopolymers, 22,pp. 547-56 (1985)); poly(2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate) or ethylene vinylacetate (Langer et al., J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 15, pp. 167-277 (1981);Langer, Chem. Tech., 12, pp. 98-105 (1982)).

Advantages of Therapeutic Compositions Comprising TWEAK orTWEAK-Receptor Modifying agents The TWEAK and TWEAK-receptor modifyingagents of this invention are capable of inhibiting immune responses, asshown by the inhibition of B cell activation and Ig production in thechronic GVHD model. The ability to selectively inhibit such immunemediated responses will be useful for treating immune disordersincluding various autoimmune diseases, organ transplant rejection, andacute and chronic inflammatory conditions. Treatment of such pathologicimmune disorders generally employs immunomodulatory andimmunosuppressive agents which have pleiotropic effects on a widevariety of cell types and immunological responses. These non-specificimmunosuppressive agents are generally required in high and oftencytotoxic doses that cause adverse side effects. For example, threegeneral immunosuppressive agents currently used include steroids,cyclophosphamide and azathioprine. Steroids are pleiotropicanti-inflammatory agents which suppress activated macrophages andinhibit the activity of antigen presenting cells in ways which reversemany pathologic T cell effects. Cyclophosphamide, an alkylating agent,mediates cell death by inhibiting DNA replication and repair.Azathioprine is an anti-proliferative agent which inhibits DNAsynthesis. These non-specific immunosuppressive agents are generallyrequired in high doses which increase their toxicity (e.g. nephro- andhepatotoxicity) and cause adverse side effects. They are thus unsuitablefor long term therapies.

Thus, there is an unmet need for additional agents and therapies whichovercome the problems caused by conventional treatments.

The following are examples which illustrate the anti-TWEAK mAb of thisinvention, the methods used in the characterization of the mAb, and theuse of the mAb to block an antigen-driven immunological disorder. Theseexamples should not be construed as limiting: the examples are includedfor purposes of illustration and the present invention is limited onlyby the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Production of a Monoclonal Antibody to TWEAK Protein

Monoclonal antibodies which recognizes human and murine TWEAK proteinwere generated in Armenian hamsters using soluble human TWEAK proteinthat had been generated in baculovirus as described (Chicheportiche etal., J. Biol. Chem. 51: 32401-32410 (1997)). For the first immunizationeach hamster received 50 μgs TWEAK in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA),injected ip. For the subsequent immunizations (days 14, 28, and 42 afterthe primary immunization) each hamster recieved 50 (days 14 and 28) or33 (day 42) μgs TWEAK in Incomplete Freund's Adjuvant (IFA), ip. Thefinal immunization before fusion of the spleen cell for hybridomaformation was with 100 μgs TWEAK without adjuvant, ip. Hybridomageneration was performed using standard procedures (Lemer, Yale J. Biol.Med. 54: 387-402 (1981)).

Initial screening of mAb activity was done using ELISA format assays.Murine TWEAK protein was generated in baculovirus using methods similarto those described for human TWEAK protein (Chicheportiche et al., J.Biol. Chem. 51: 32401-32410 (1997)). Purified human and murine TWEAKproteins were coated onto 96 well plates, and various hamster mAbs weretested for their ability to bind to these immobilized proteins. Thecapture of hamster mAb by the immobilized TWEAK proteins was visualizedusing HRP-coupled donkey anti-hamster IgG (Jackson ImmunoResearch, WestGrove, Pa. USA), and an appropriate enzymatic reaction. Eight out of 23mAbs recognized both murine and human TWEAK proteins (Table 1). TABLE 1Human Murine Ligand FACS Binding TWEAK TWEAK Blocking FACS Binding to toCLONE ELISA ELISA FACS hTWEAK/293 mTWEAK/293 AB.D3.7.2 +++ +++ + + +AA.DB5 +++ − +/− + − AC.H5.24 +++ +++ − nd nd AA.G9 +++ − +/− + −AB.H12.1 +++ +++ − − − BA.F5.35.2 * +++ +++ + + − BG.A12.5 * ++ +++ + +− BE.D5 ++ − +/− + − AF.D4 ++ − + + − AB.G11.1 * +++ +++ + + +BE.B3.6.1 * +++ − − + − AA.AC2.3.2 +++ − +/− nd nd BB.B12.1.31.3 ++ −+/− + − AA.DG7.14 * +++ +++ + + + BD.A3 ++ − − − − BC.B10.21 * ++++++ + + + BG.E8 +++ − +/− + − AE.C10.4 * +++ − + + − AA.BB4.2 * +++− + + − AA.EC10.2 * +++ − + + − AD.B5.9 * +++ − − − − AB.D4.67.19 +++ −− − −

HUMAN TWEAK ELISA: mAbs were evaluated on their ability to bind to ahuman TWEAK coated plate.

MURINE TWEAK ELISA: mAbs were tested for their crossreactivity on amurine TWEAK coated plate.

LIGAND BLOCKING FACS: mAbs were tested as to whether they were able toblock human TWEAK-flag binding to HT29 cells.

FACS ANALYSIS OF EBNA293 TRANSFECTANTS: Human and murine TWEAK cDNAswere used to transfect EBNA293 cells, and mAbs were tested forreactivity 3 days later

The conservation of antigenic epitopes across species lines wasunsurprising given the extent of protein homology seen between themurine and human forms of TWEAK (FIG. 1). FACS analyses were used todetermine if anti-TWEAK mAbs could bind to TWEAK proteins expressed onthe surface of a cell. Human and murine TWEAK cDNA sequences were clonedinto the expression vector CH269 (Chicheportiche et al., J. Biol. Chem.51: 32401-32410 (1997)), and these constructs were used in transfectionsto produce transient protein expression in EBNA 293 cells. Four mAbs,including AB.D3, bound well to EBNA293 cells expressing murine TWEAK(FIG. 2). These 4 mAbs were also capable of preventing the binding ofhuman TWEAK to HT29 cells which are known to express one or moreTWEAK-receptors (eg., FIG. 3). Together these FACS analyses indicatedthat anti-TWEAK mAbs specifically recognized TWEAK proteins, and werecapable of modifying the ability of TWEAK proteins to bind to one ormore TWEAK receptors.

Example 2

The use of anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3 to block the development ofsplenomegaly, activated B cells, and Ig production in a murine model ofchronic GVHD.

Chronic GVHD was induced in 6-8 week old B6D2F1 female mice using DBA/2splenocyte grafts as described in methods. Each recipient was injectedwith 500 μl (1×10⁸) cells in the tail vein. Experimental groups recievedthe DBA/2 graft (DBA/2>F1), while a set of control animals recieved aB6D2F1graft (F1>F1). Mice received anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3, anti-CD40L mAbMR1, control mAb Ha4/8, or no treatment. Animals were dosed with 250 μgmAb ip 4 hours prior to graft injection, and 2, 4, and 6 daysafterwards. On day 14 of the experiment the mice were sacrificed and thespleen index was calculated as the ratio of spleen weight to body weightfor each animal in the control F1>F1 group, averaged to give a value ofone. The average spleen index for all other groups is normalized to thecontrol value. The results from 2 independent experiments are shown inTable 2. Animals receiving the DBA/2 graft (DBA/2>F1), and leftuntreated or treated with control mAb Ha4/8 showed a dramatic increasein spleen weight when compared to F1>F1 graft controls. This result isreflected in the spleen index, which showed an increase from thenormalized control value of 1.0 to 2.6. Treatment of mice withanti-CD40L mAb MR1 reduced the spleen index nearly to control levels(1.1), and treatment with anti-TWEAK mAb AB.D3 reduced splenomegaly by35% to 1.7 (Table 2). TABLE 2 TREATMENT EXPERIMENT 1 EXPERIMENT 2AVERAGE F1 > F1 (control) 1.0 1.0 1.0 DBA/2 > F1, 2.7 2.6 2.65 untreatedDBA/2 > F1, 2.9 2.6 2.75 Ha4/8 treated DBA/2 > F1, 1.1 1.1 1.1 MR1treated DBA/2 > F1, 1.8 1.7 1.75 AB.D3 treated

On day 14 of the experiment the mice were sacrificed and weighed. Then,the spleen was aseptically removed and weighed. The spleen index wascalculated as the ratio of spleen to body weight for each animal in thecontrol F1>F1 group, averaged to give a value of one. The average spleenindex for all other groups is normalized to the control value.

FACS analyses were employed to analyze the activation state oflymphocyte populations in the spleens of control and diseased mice,representing the various treatment groups. Initially we analyzed theamount of donor cell engraftment in the various group of mice. Donorcells were detected in the spleens of host mice at approximately thesame percentage (average=6.2%) in all DBA/2>F1 treatment groups (Table3). This result indicated that the different mAb treatments were notaffecting donor cell engraftment. TABLE 3 TREATMENT % H-2K^(b) negative(donor) cells F1 > F1 (control) 0.2 DBA/2 > F1, untreated 5.9 DBA/2 >F1, Ha4/8 treated 9.9 DBA/2 > F1, MR1 treated 5.5 DBA/2 > F1, AB.D3treated 4.3

For FACS analysis splenocytes from each group of mice were stained onice for 1 h with PE-coupled anti-H2k^(b) and FITC-coupled anti-H-2D^(d)to measure expression of MHC alleles. Host splenocytes are positive forboth markers, but donor splenocytes are H-2k^(b) negative. Percentvalues reflect events within the lymphocyte population, as determined byforward and side scatter characteristics.

Next, two markers of lymphocyte activation were employed: CD69expression on B220+B cells, and L-selectin expression of CD4+ and CD8+Tcells. When control and untreated DBA/2>F1 mice were compared we notedan increase in CD69+B cells from 2.5% to 6.2% (Table 4). This increasein CD69+B cell numbers was prevented by treatment with either MR1 (3.3%)or AB.D3 (2.1%) but not Ha4/8 (6.5%) (FIG. 4 and Table 3). Data from 2experiments are shown in Table 4. TABLE 4 % B220+/CD69+ (doublepositive) CELLS EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT TREATMENT GROUP 1 2 AVERAGE F1 >F1, control 2.5 2.0 2.25 DBA/2 > F1, untreated 6.2 5.5 5.9 DBA/2 > F1,Ha4/8 6.5 4.7 5.6 treated DBA/2 > F1, MR1 3.3 nd 3.3 treated DBA/2 > F1,AB.D3 2.1 3.2 2.65 treated

Splenocytes were stained with PE-labelled anti-B220 and FITC labelledanti-CD69 for 1 h on ice, washed with FACS buffer, then analyzed.Percentages are based events collected within the lymphocyte population,as determined by forward and side scatter characteristics.

For in vitro analysis of Ig secretion ELISA analysis was performed onsplenocyte cell 1 5 culture supernatants derived from spleens harvestedfrom the various treatment groups. Results in Table 5 are from thesecond experiment, average of results from 3 mice per group. Treatmentwith MR1 or AB.D3 prevented the 4-6 fold increase in spontaneous IgGproduction observed in the untreated and Ha4/8 treated DBA/2>F1 groups.TABLE 5 SPONTANEOUS IN TREATMENT GROUP VITRO IgG PRODUCTION F1 > F1,control 125 ng/ml +/− 20 ng/ml DBA/2 > F1, untreated 750 ng/ml +/− 65ng/ml DBA/2 > F1, Ha4/8 treated 500 ng/ml +/− 150 ng/ml DBA/2 > F1, MR1treated 0 DBA/2 > F1, AB.D3 treated 125 ng/ml +/− 20 ng/ml

For in vitro analysis of Ig secretion cells were pelleted andresuspended in DMEM containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS)/4 mMglutamine, at a concentration of 1×10⁷ cells/ml. One ml per well wasdistributed into 6 well plates. Cell supernatants were recovered after24 hours. Values represent the average of 2 wells per mouse, with 3 micerepresented for each treatment group.

1. A method for blocking the development or treating or reducing theseverity or effects of an immunological disorder in an animal comprisingthe step of administering a pharmaceutical composition which comprises atherapeutically effective amount of a TWEAK blocking agent and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 2. A method for inhibiting animmune response in an animal comprising the step of administering apharmaceutical composition which comprises an effective amount of aTWEAK blocking agent and a pharmaceutically effective carrier.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein the TWEAK blocking agent isselected from the group consisting of: (a) an antibody directed againstthe TWEAK ligand; (b) an antibody directed against the TWEAK receptor;(c) an agent that modifies the binding of the TWEAK ligand to thereceptor; (d) an agent that modifies the cell surface receptorclustering; and an agent that can interrupt the intra cellular signalingof the TWEAK receptor.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein theanimal is mammalian.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein themammal is human.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the TWEAKblocking agent comprises a soluble TWEAK receptor having a ligandbinding domain that can selectively bind to a surface TWEAK ligand. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein the soluble TWEAK receptor comprises ahuman immunoglobulin IgG domain.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein thehuman immunoglobulin IgG domain comprises regions responsible forspecific antigen binding.
 9. The method according to claim 1, whereinthe antibody directed against the TWEAK receptor comprises a monoclonalantibody.
 10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the TWEAKblocking agent comprises a monoclonal antibody directed against theTWEAK surface ligand.
 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein theantibody is directed against a subunit of the TWEAK ligand. 12.-14.(canceled)
 15. The method according to claim 2, wherein the TWEAKblocking agent comprises a monoclonal antibody directed against theTWEAK receptor.
 16. A pharmaceutical composition comprising atherapeutically effective amount of a TWEAK blocking agent and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 17. The composition according toclaim 16, wherein the TWEAK blocking agent is selected from the groupconsisting of: (a) an antibody directed against the TWEAK ligand; (b) anantibody directed against the TWEAK receptor; (c) an agent that modifiesthe binding of the TWEAK ligand to the receptor; (d) an agent thatmodifies the cell surface receptor clustering; and (e) an agent that caninterrupt the intracellular signaling of the TWEAK receptor
 18. Thecomposition according to claim 16, wherein the TWEAK blocking agentcomprises a soluble TWEAK receptor having a ligand binding domain thatcan selectively bind to a surface TWEAK ligand.
 19. The compositionaccording to claim 18, wherein the soluble TWEAK receptor comprises ahuman immunoglobulin IgG domain into which regions responsible forspecific antigen binding have been inserted.
 20. The composition ofclaim 16, wherein the TWEAK blocking agent comprises a monoclonalantibody directed against the TWEAK receptor.
 21. The compositionaccording to claim 16, wherein the TWEAK blocking agent comprises amonoclonal antibody directed against the TWEAK surface ligand.
 22. Thecomposition according to claim 21, wherein the antibody is directedagainst a subunit of the TWEAK ligand.